CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: FIRST-GRADE MARTIAL ARTIST! (THREE UPDATES)

The next evening, Players were gradually starting to log off and rest. All necessary affairs had been taken care of, and now all they had to do was wait for the Profound Yellow Sect to become famous in Fengxiang Prefecture and then collect their Rewards.

Xu Nian had planned to rest, but the Blood Demoness unexpectedly sought him out.

"Not sleeping? What are you up to?"

"Someone is coming," the Blood Demoness replied, then added hesitantly, "A master!"

A master? How powerful could they be? Hadn’t the Blood Demoness slapped down any troublesome masters off the mountain before?

However, seeing her solemn expression, Xu Nian knew she wasn’t joking.

This time, the visitor is probably no ordinary figure.

"Very strong?" Xu Nian frowned. "Stronger than you?"

The Blood Demoness looked troubled and reluctantly nodded.

Seeing this, Xu Nian was somewhat surprised. Why are such formidable masters coming to my Profound Yellow Sect? Could the Players have provoked some fearsome entity Outside?

After hesitating for Half a Moment, he sighed.

The Task Rewards haven’t arrived yet. Right now, I doubt I could even kill the Blood Demoness with a single kick. If I have to face someone stronger than the Blood Demoness, what chance would I have?

"They’ve arrived..."

The Blood Demoness suddenly spoke up, turning to look towards the courtyard of the Profound Yellow Sect.

A man stood in the courtyard, wearing Silver Feiyu Clothing and a Gilded Xiu Chun Saber at his waist.

The man was not very tall, but the aura he emitted exerted an indescribable pressure on Xu Nian.

The evening breeze stirred, fluttering the man’s Feiyu Clothing.

An indescribable murderous intent instantly pervaded the entire Profound Yellow Sect.

"A Brocade Guard?!"

The Blood Demoness’s pupils shrank dramatically as she took a wary step back.

That step also caught Xu Nian’s attention.

It seems there really is a significant feud between the Blood Demon Sect and the Brocade Guard. Silver Feiyu Clothing? A Brocade Guard Thousand Households?

Yes. The visitor was Zhou Yuntong, the Brocade Guard Thousand Households who guarded Fengxiang Prefecture.

Although both were at the Grandmaster Realm, there were still differences in their strength. Zhou Yuntong was an exceptionally powerful individual, so strong that even the Blood Demoness, also a Grandmaster, felt apprehensive in his presence.

Xu Nian stepped forward and stood at the entrance, examining this Brocade Guard Thousand Households. He had encountered a Brocade Guard once before in Liang City, but that person was just a Captain. This was his first time seeing a Brocade Guard Thousand Households.

Upon seeing Xu Nian emerge, Zhou Yuntong respectfully knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and greeted, "Zhou Yuntong, Brocade Guard Thousand Households of the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Seventh Prince."

Having seen Xu Nian’s portrait, he naturally knew Xu Nian’s identity. This is not the time to take sides, so I must be very clear on what I should and shouldn’t do. If the Seventh Prince were in the Capital City, he would undoubtedly be one of the strongest contenders for that position. But unfortunately, this is not the Capital City. The greatest difference between the Jianghu and the Imperial Court is that the Imperial Court is always bound by rules, while the Jianghu is not. Those so-called rules of the Jianghu are merely excuses losers make for themselves.

Xu Nian waved his hand lightly. "How did you know it was me?"

"The Lord of the Pacification Department handled a case in Liang City once," Zhou Yuntong stood up and said respectfully. "Before leaving, he mentioned to me that Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, was also here. This humble officer was unaware of Your Highness’s presence and begs forgiveness for any neglect."

He also couldn’t quite understand why the Seventh Prince would be at the Profound Yellow Sect, let alone become its Sect Leader. But such questions were not his to ask; crossing that line could mean death not just for him, but for others too. As a member of the Brocade Guard, he knew this well.

Xu Nian nodded. "You came here so late at night... it surely isn’t just for me, is it?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yuntong’s gaze swept over the Blood Demoness. I recognized her identity immediately. One of the Five Great Elders of the Blood Demon Sect! A major fugitive wanted by the Imperial Court, and she’s hiding right here! And it seems she’s quite familiar with the Seventh Prince.

Zhou Yuntong said respectfully, "Recently, the Disciples of the Profound Yellow Sect have been causing quite a stir in Fengxiang Prefecture. The Major Sects have complained repeatedly and have implored this humble officer to come and persuade Your Highness. Your Highness, Fengxiang Prefecture has been peaceful for a long time. Could you perhaps ask your Disciples to be more restrained?"

So humble! A Majestic Brocade Guard Thousand Households, acting so humbly! If anyone from the Jianghu saw this, wouldn’t they be shocked to death?

Even the Blood Demoness was startled by this scene. I never expected Xu Nian, a fallen prince, to still be treated with such importance by the Brocade Guard. It seems the Imperial Family’s control over the Imperial Court far exceeds our imagination.

Host Task Completed, reward assessed as: Grade A!

Reward: Cultivation advanced to First-Grade Martial Artist; Reward of ten Top-Grade Detoxification Pills; Reward of one Weapon Forging Blueprint; Reward of fifty years’ worth of Internal Energy.

The voice suddenly echoed by Xu Nian’s ear.

Instantly, Xu Nian froze on the spot, stunned.

A terrifying aura surged from within Xu Nian’s body.

Under the astonished gazes of Zhou Yuntong and the Blood Demoness, Xu Nian’s aura climbed incessantly.

Fourth-Grade Martial Artist Realm!

Breakthrough!

Third-Grade Martial Artist Realm!

Breakthrough!

Second-Grade Martial Artist Realm!

He continued to break through!

His aura finally stabilized at the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm. It then settled, and his entire presence became reserved, exuding an unfathomable depth.

However, this series of shocking breakthroughs left Zhou Yuntong and the Blood Demoness dumbfounded.

What just happened? Did the Seventh Prince just break through? And all the way from the Fifth-Grade Martial Artist Realm to the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm in one go?!

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on regaining the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm!" Zhou Yuntong hurriedly cupped his fists in congratulations.

He didn’t understand how it had happened, but Xu Nian had indeed broken through right before his eyes, soaring directly to the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm!

Exceptionally talented individuals capable of consecutive breakthroughs were not unheard of in the Jianghu. But to ascend from Fifth-Grade Martial Artist to First-Grade Martial Artist in a single instance... This was likely the first time they had ever witnessed such a thing, and the person achieving it was none other than Xu Nian!

The Blood Demoness furrowed her brows, the shock in her eyes undiminished. How could Xu Nian be so monstrously talented? This man just meditated all day and never even stepped out of the sect gates! And now he just breaks through whenever he wants, and all the way to the First-Grade Realm at that? With him in charge, wouldn’t the Profound Yellow Sect soon have the makings of a top-tier sect? In the future, under Xu Nian’s leadership, the Profound Yellow Sect would surely rival the Major Sects of the Jianghu. With such a monstrously talented Sect Leader, who would dare look down on them anymore?

Xu Nian lightly exhaled a breath of stagnant air. So this was the Power I originally possessed?

He knew that Luo Yushu had been hailed as the First Genius in the Imperial Palace—a natural prodigy in Martial Arts who had reached the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm by the age of Seventeen Years Old. It was a pity his Martial Arts were later crippled.

Now that Xu Nian had regained the Power of the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm, an indescribable feeling began to swell within him.

Exhilaration! Yes! This feeling was intoxicating! The Players frantically completed Tasks, while I reaped the Rewards and enhanced my Power from behind the scenes. This method of ’harvesting Chives’ is truly exhilarating!

Glancing at Zhou Yuntong, Xu Nian said softly, "Rest assured. From now on, Fengxiang Prefecture will be peaceful."